SHANNON CRAIGO-SNELL

God of Hope, I ask blessing on those who are tending life. New moms and dads. Grown children caring for aging parents. Partners and neighbors supporting loved ones who are injured or ill. Tending life is an act of hope and an affirmation of the surpassing value of kindness, compassion, friendship, and love. Amen.

God of Rainbows, I pray for the neighbors next door to Mike Pence’s vacation home in Colorado, who put up a sign at the end of the drive reading “Make America Gay Again.” Continue to bless them with humor and love. Amen.

God of Peace, I pray for the 63 Israeli teenagers who refuse to be drafted into the Israeli army. In a letter to the Prime Minister and other government officials, the teens stated they would not be part of the occupation and oppression of Palestinians. They are willing to face prosecution and jail rather than comply with such extreme injustice. Bless them, God, and may their witness foster bravery in us all. Amen.

God of Lament, tonight I pray for Erica Garner, who worked to end police brutality after her father, Eric Garner, was choked to death by a cop in 2014. Erica Garner is in a coma and has been declared brain dead after suffering a heart attack. She is 27 years old. She has two children. I pray for perfect healing for Erica Garner. I pray stable, enduring, loving care for her children. I pray comfort for the Garner family and community. For the rest of us, I ask that we be

God of Hope, I pray for all who seek, protect, mind, await, and become the Light. Amen.

Holy God, I give thanks for the United Nations General Assembly, which voted overwhelmingly to demand that the United States rescind the Occupant’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. I pray for global leaders who resist reckless political power plays. I pray for peace in Jerusalem, liberation in Palestine, and global solidarity among those who seek the common good. Amen.

God of Mercy, I pray tonight for the Gifford Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. Founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her astronaut husband Captain Mark Kelly, this organization is currently suing the administration for refusing to divulge evidence of the extent of coordination between the administration and the gun lobby. The Gifford Center wants to know if the gun lobby is directing the Occupant’s appointment of particular judicial nominees. I admire the

Dear God, I ask Your blessings on those left-of-center who are not beguiled by purity politics. Those who recognize that a great variety of strategies might be needed to change our world for the better. Those who are more committed to the common good than to their own superior knowledge, perception, or analysis. Those who greet all who struggle for justice as kin. May their solidarity bear great fruit. Amen.

God of Jubilation, on this third Sunday of Advent, also called Gaudete Sunday, many Christians mark the importance of joy. To share joy with others is a reflection of heavenly communion. The Bible says that perfect love casts out fear. I suspect that perfect joy casts out division. Tonight I pray for all who are joyful, even if it is sporadic, or only a little. I pray that You might bless us all with unexpected joys, and that we might be open and eager to share joy with our

Righteous God, bless the editorial board of USA Today. Yesterday’s article on the Occupant was an act of resistance to the normalization of sexism, racism, and deceitfulness. Amen.